TWI439734B - Lens module and a method for fabricating the same - Google Patents

Description

Lens module and method of manufacturing same

The present invention relates to semiconductor technology, and more particularly to a lens module.

Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view of a conventional lens module. In Fig. 1A, a glass substrate 1 is used to form a lens module 10. A plurality of lens modules 10 may be formed on the glass substrate 1. The lens module 10 has a first lens assembly 11, a second lens assembly 12, and a glass portion 13, wherein the glass substrate 1 is located between the first lens assembly 11 and the second lens assembly 12, and the first lens assembly 11 The second lens assembly 12 is formed from a transparent polymer second lens assembly 12.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a conventional lens module 10 and mold cores 20 and 30 for forming the lens module 10. The mold core 20 has a pattern 21 which is a first lens assembly 11 for forming the lens module 10, and the mold core 30 has a pattern 31 which is a second lens assembly for forming the lens module 10. 12.

The lens module 10 is formed by the following steps. First, a lens material (not shown) is placed on a first surface 1a of the glass substrate 1. Then, the mold core 20 is placed on the first surface 1a of the glass substrate 1, and the lens material is embossed with the pattern 21, and then the formed lens material is subjected to aging treatment to complete the first of the lens module 10. Lens assembly 11. Next, the same lens material (not shown) is placed on the pattern of the mold core 30. 31. Then, the combined structure of the glass substrate 1 and the mold core 20 is moved to the mold core 30, and a second surface 1b (the opposite surface of the first surface 1a) of the glass substrate 1 is brought into contact with the pattern 31 of the mold core 30 to be imprinted. The lens material on the pattern 31 of the mold core 30 is shaped and then the formed lens material is subjected to a curing process to complete the second lens assembly 12 of the lens module 10. So far, the lens module 10 has been completed. Finally, the glass substrate 1 with the lens module 10 is separated from the mold cores 20, 30.

As previously mentioned, the fabrication of the lens module 10 requires a number of process steps. The first lens assembly 11 of the lens module 10 is subjected to a secondary curing process, so that it may be excessively hardened. Excessive hardening of the first lens assembly 11 of the lens module 10 can cause at least two problems. One is that the first lens assembly 11 undergoes shrinkage deformation, and the other is that the first lens assembly 11 is yellowed. The above problems are likely to adversely affect the optical performance of the lens module 10. In addition, the lens module 10 is not a homogeneous lens because the first lens assembly 11 and the second lens assembly 12 are both polymers, and the glass portion 13 is glass (the glass portion 13 is located at the first lens assembly 11 and The glass substrate 1) between the second lens assemblies 12. The polymer has a different refractive index than the glass, and total reflection of light occurs at the interface between the two. Therefore, there are two glass/polymer interfaces in the lens module 10, which adversely affect the light transmittance of the lens module 10. Further, when a dam structure (not shown) and/or a light shield is formed for the lens module 10, it is necessary to add more process steps.

In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a lens module and a method of fabricating the same that can improve the optical performance of the lens module and reduce the number of manufacturing steps required to fabricate the lens module.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a lens module including: a substrate having a uniform perforation therein; and a lens structure embedded in the through hole.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of fabricating a lens module. First, a substrate is provided, the substrate having a uniform perforation therein. Then, a first molding die and a second mold core are provided, the first mold core has a first lens pattern corresponding to the through hole, and the second mold core has a corresponding one of the through holes Second lens pattern. Next, the substrate is placed on the first mold core, wherein the through hole of the substrate is aligned with the first lens pattern. Next, a lens material is placed in the through hole and on the first lens pattern. Next, the second mold core is placed on the substrate and the lens material is imprinted. The second lens pattern is aligned with the through hole of the base, and the lens material is formed into a lens structure. The lens structure is embedded in the through hole by the first lens pattern and the second lens pattern. . Finally, the first mold core and the base including the lens structure in the through hole are separated from the second mold core.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more The following is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the term "substantially homogeneous" means that the design is expected to be homogeneous, but In practice, it is difficult to achieve "completely homogeneous" mathematically or theoretically, and it should be considered homogeneous when the scope of the change falls within the tolerance range specified by the corresponding standard or specification. Those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains should understand that the above-mentioned corresponding standards or specifications may vary depending on different properties, conditions, requirements, etc., and thus specific standards or specifications are not listed below.

2A-2C are a series of cross-sectional views showing a lens module in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2A, the illustrated lens module includes a substrate 100 and a lens structure 200. The substrate 100 includes a uniform perforation 110, and the lens structure 200 is embedded in the through hole 110. Thus, the lens structure 200 can be homogeneous or substantially homogeneous, without any portion of the substrate therein, preventing loss of incident light due to total reflection of the interface, and improving the lens module of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Optical performance.

Substrate 100 can be a transparent substrate, a translucent substrate, or an opaque substrate. The material of the substrate 100 can be made of glass or other materials. In the present embodiment, the substrate 100 is a transparent glass substrate. The material of the lens structure 200 can be any known transparent polymer. In the present embodiment, the lens structure 200 includes a lens body 210 that is directly connected to the sidewall of the through hole 110. In this embodiment, the lens body 210 is a lenticular lens; in other embodiments, the lens body 210 Other types of lenses are also possible, such as plano-convex lenses, meniscus lenses, concave lenses, or other known types of lenses.

Compared with the lens module shown in FIG. 2A, the lens module shown in FIG. 2B replaces the lens structure 200 embedded in the through hole 110 by a lens structure 300. In FIG. 2B, the lens structure 300 includes a lens body 310 and a connecting member 320 that connects the lens body 310 and the sidewall of the through hole 110. In the present embodiment, the lens body 310 is located in a central region of the through hole 110 and is surrounded by the connecting member 320. In other embodiments, a portion of the lens body 310 may directly connect a portion of the sidewall of the through hole 110 to be connected. Member 320 connects the other portions of lens body 310 with other portions of the sidewalls of through hole 110. In this embodiment, the lens body 310 is a lenticular lens; in other embodiments, the lens body 310 can also be other kinds of lenses, such as a plano-convex lens, a meniscus lens, a concave lens, or the like. Know the kind of lens.

Compared with the lens module shown in FIG. 2A, the lens module shown in FIG. 2C replaces the lens structure 200 embedded in the through hole 110 by a lens structure 400. In FIG. 2C, the lens structure 400 includes a lens body 410, a connecting member 420, and a dam structure 430. The dam-like structure 430 is located on a side wall of at least a portion of the through hole 110 and extends to a region other than the through hole 110. In some embodiments, the dam-like structure 430 can be used to block unwanted incident light. The connecting member 420 connects the lens body 410 and the dam structure 430. In this embodiment, the lens body 410 is a lenticular lens; in other embodiments, the lens body 410 Other types of lenses are also possible, such as plano-convex lenses, meniscus lenses, concave lenses, or other known types of lenses.

In the present embodiment, the dam-like structure 430 is placed on all the side walls of the through hole 110 and extends to a region other than the through hole 110; and the dam-like structure 430 surrounds the connecting member 420; and the connecting member 420 surrounds the lens. Body 410. In some cases, a portion of the lens body 410 can directly connect portions of the dam-like structure 430, while the connecting member 420 connects other portions of the lens body 410 with other portions of the dam-like structure 430.

In some embodiments, the dam-like structure 430 can be placed over a portion of the sidewall of the through hole 110 and extends to a region other than the through hole 110. In some cases, a portion of the lens body 410 may directly connect a portion of the sidewall of the through hole 110 that is not connected to the dam structure 430, and other portions of the lens body 410 are not connected to the dam structure 430 by the connecting member 420. The other portions of the side walls of the through hole 110 of the dam-like structure 430 are connected. In some cases, the connecting member 420 connects the lens body 410 with the dam-like structure 430 and other portions of the sidewalls of the through-hole 110.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the application of the lens module shown in Figure 2A. In Fig. 3, the lens module shown in Fig. 2A is placed over a semiconductor substrate 500 and supported by a plurality of spacers 510 therebetween. The plurality of lens bodies 210 are respectively corresponding to a plurality of photosensitive elements (not shown) on or in the semiconductor substrate 500. In other embodiments, the lens module shown in the semiconductor substrate 500 of FIGS. 2A and/or 2B can be placed over the semiconductor substrate 500 in the same manner.

4A to 4C are a series of cross-sectional views showing an exemplary manufacturing method of the lens module shown in Fig. 2A.

In FIG. 4A, a substrate 100 and a mold core 610 are provided, wherein the substrate 100 has a through hole 110 therein, and the mold core 610 has a lens pattern 615 corresponding to the through hole 110. The lens pattern 615 has a lens body pattern 611 which is a contour of the lens body 210 including the lens module shown in FIG. 2A. Then, the through hole 110 of the substrate 100 is aligned with the lens pattern 615 of the mold core 610, and the substrate 100 is placed on the mold core 610.

In Fig. 4B, a lens material 250 is placed in the through hole 110 and on the lens pattern 615. The lens material 250 is preferably a heat-curable transparent polymer or a transparent polymer which can be cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light.

In FIG. 4C, a mold core 620 is provided. The mold core 620 has a lens pattern 625 corresponding to the through hole 110. The lens pattern 625 has a lens body pattern 621 which is a contour of the lens body 210 including the lens module shown in FIG. 2A. In the present embodiment, the mold cores 610 and 620 each include a lens pattern for fabricating the lens body 210 of the lens module shown in FIG. 2A; in some embodiments, only one of the mold cores 610 and 620 has The lens pattern of the lens body 210 used to fabricate the lens module shown in FIG. 2A, while the other supports the substrate 100 and the lens material 250, but does not have a lens body pattern including a contour of the lens body 210.

Next, the lens pattern 625 of the mold core 620 and the substrate 100 are The through holes 110 are aligned and the mold core 620 is then placed on the substrate 100. At this time, the lens material 250 shown in FIG. 4B is molded to form the lens structure 200 embedded in the through hole 110.

In a preferred embodiment, a curing step is required to harden the lens structure 200. The above-described maturation step may be carried out before or after separating the mold core 610, the substrate 100 including the lens structure 200 in the through-hole 110, and the mold core 620, and preferably before the separation step described above to avoid during the ripening step. The contour of the lens structure 200 changes. The above-described curing step can be carried out by irradiation with ultraviolet light or heating (heat treatment). In the present embodiment, the lens structure 200 is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet light before the mold core 610, the substrate 100 including the lens structure 200 in the through hole 110, and the mold core 620 are separated. After the aging step, the mold core 610, the substrate 100 including the lens structure 200 in the through hole 110, and the mold core 620 are separated, and the lens structure shown in FIG. 2A is completed.

The fabrication of the lens structure benefiting from Fig. 2A requires only a maximum of one aging step, which avoids excessive hardening, shrinkage deformation, and yellowing of the lens structure 200, and can reduce the number of processing steps.

For the manufacture of the lens module shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, it is also possible to use a procedure equivalent to the steps described above for FIGS. 4A to 4C and the molds respectively conforming to the lens module.

In Fig. 5, the lens structure shown in Fig. 2B and its applicable mold cores 710 and 720 are shown. The mold core 710 has a lens pattern 715 corresponding to the through hole 110. The lens pattern 715 has a lens body pattern 711 and a connecting member pattern 712, and the connecting member pattern 712 is connected to the lens body pattern 711. The lens body pattern 711 includes a contour of the lens body 310, and the connecting member pattern 712 includes a contour of the connecting member 320. In the present embodiment, the lens body 310 is surrounded by the connecting member 320, so the lens body pattern 711 is surrounded by the connecting member pattern 712; in other embodiments, the arrangement of the lens body pattern 711 and the connecting member pattern 712 is determined. The predetermined arrangement of the lens body 310 and the connecting member 320.

The mold core 720 has a lens pattern 725 corresponding to the through hole 110. The lens pattern 725 has a lens body pattern 721 and a connecting member pattern 722, and the connecting member pattern 722 is coupled to the lens body pattern 721. The lens body pattern 721 includes a contour of the lens body 310, and the connecting member pattern 722 includes a contour of the connecting member 320. In the present embodiment, the lens body 310 is surrounded by the connecting member 320, so the lens body pattern 721 is surrounded by the connecting member pattern 722; in other embodiments, the arrangement of the lens body pattern 721 and the connecting member pattern 722 is determined. The predetermined arrangement of the lens body 310 and the connecting member 320.

In the present embodiment, the mold cores 710 and 720 each include a lens body pattern for fabricating the lens body 310, and a connecting member pattern for fabricating the connecting member 320; in some embodiments, only the mold cores 710 and 720 are One has a lens body pattern for manufacturing the lens body 310, and a connecting member pattern for manufacturing the connecting member 320; and the other supports the substrate 100 and a lens material (not shown) in the process, but does not have a use. To manufacture the lens body pattern of the lens body 310, and to manufacture The connecting member pattern of the connecting member 320.

In Fig. 6, the lens structure shown in Fig. 2C and its applicable mold cores 810 and 820 are shown. The mold core 810 has a lens pattern 815 corresponding to the through hole 110. The lens pattern 815 has a lens body pattern 811, a dam-like structure pattern 813, and a connection member pattern 812 which is a connection lens body pattern 811 and a dam-like structure pattern 813. Thus, the dam-like structure 430 can be fabricated simultaneously with the lens body 410 and the connecting member 420, that is, no additional processing steps are required to fabricate the dam-like structure 430.

The lens body pattern 811 has a contour of the lens body 410, the connecting member pattern 812 has a contour of the connecting member 420, and the dam-like structure pattern 813 has a contour of the dam-like structure 430. In the present embodiment, the dam-like structure 430 surrounds the connecting member 420, and the connecting member 420 surrounds the lens body 410; therefore, the dam-like structure pattern 813 surrounds the connecting member pattern 812, and the connecting member pattern 812 surrounds the lens body pattern 811. In other embodiments, the arrangement of the lens body pattern 811, the connecting member pattern 812, and the dam-like structure pattern 813 is determined by a predetermined arrangement of the lens body 410, the connecting member 420, and the dam-like structure 430.

The mold core 820 has a lens pattern 825 corresponding to the through hole 110. The lens pattern 825 has a lens body pattern 821, a dam-like structure pattern 823, and a connecting member pattern 822. The connecting member pattern 822 is a connecting lens body pattern 821 and a dam-like structure pattern 823. The lens body pattern 821 has a contour of the lens body 410, and the connecting member pattern 822 has a contour of the connecting member 420, and the dam structure The graphic 823 has a contour of the dam-like structure 430. In the present embodiment, the dam-like structure 430 surrounds the connecting member 420, and the connecting member 420 surrounds the lens body 410; therefore, the dam-like structure pattern 823 surrounds the connecting member pattern 822, and the connecting member pattern 822 surrounds the lens body figure 821. In other embodiments, the arrangement of the lens body pattern 821, the connecting member pattern 822, and the dam-like structure pattern 823 is determined by a predetermined arrangement of the lens body 410, the connecting member 420, and the dam-like structure 430.

In the present embodiment, the mold cores 810 and 820 each include a lens body pattern for manufacturing the lens body 410, a connection member pattern for manufacturing the connection member 420, and a dam-like structure pattern for manufacturing the dam structure 430; In some embodiments, only one of the mold cores 810 and 820 has a lens body pattern for fabricating the lens body 410, a connection member pattern for fabricating the connection member 420, and a dam structure for fabricating the dam structure 430. The other one supports the substrate 100 and a lens material (not shown) in the process, but does not have the lens body pattern for manufacturing the lens body 410, the connecting member pattern for manufacturing the connecting member 420, and the A dam-like structure pattern of the dam-like structure 430 is fabricated.

As described above, the lens module of the present invention and the method of manufacturing the same have the function of providing a homogeneous or substantially homogeneous lens structure, improving the optical performance of the lens module, and reducing the number of manufacturing steps required to manufacture the lens module.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above preferred embodiments, the present invention is not intended to limit the invention, and it is possible to make a few changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. And the retouching, so the scope of protection of the present invention is attached to the application The scope defined by the scope of interest is subject to change.

1‧‧‧glass substrate

1a‧‧‧ first surface

1b‧‧‧ second surface

10‧‧‧ lens module

11‧‧‧First lens assembly

12‧‧‧Second lens assembly

13‧‧‧glass section

20, 30, 610, 620, 710, 720, 810, 820‧‧‧

21, 31‧‧‧ graphics

100‧‧‧Base

110‧‧‧through holes

200, 300, 400‧‧‧ lens structure

210, 310, 410‧‧‧ lens body

250‧‧‧Lens material

320, 420‧‧‧ connecting members

430‧‧‧ dam structure

500‧‧‧Semiconductor substrate

510‧‧‧ spacers

611, 621, 711, 721, 811, 821‧‧‧ lens body graphics

615, 625, 715, 725, 815, 825‧‧ ‧ lens graphics

712, 722, 812, 822‧‧‧ connection member graphics

813, 823‧‧‧ dam structure graphics

Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional lens module.

Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional lens module shown in Fig. 1A and a mold core for forming the conventional lens module.

2A-2C are a series of cross-sectional views showing a lens module in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the application of the lens module of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4A to 4C are a series of cross-sectional views showing an exemplary manufacturing method of the lens module shown in Fig. 2A.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the lens module shown in Figure 2B and the mold used to form the lens module.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the lens module shown in Figure 2C and the mold used to form the lens module.

100‧‧‧Base

110‧‧‧through holes

200‧‧‧ lens structure

210‧‧‧ lens body

Claims (18)

A lens module includes: a glass substrate having a uniform perforation therein; and a lens structure embedded in the through hole. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the lens structure is substantially homogeneous. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the lens structure comprises a lens body directly connected to a sidewall of the through hole. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the lens structure comprises: a lens body; and a connecting member connecting the lens body and the sidewall of the through hole. The lens module of claim 4, wherein the lens body is surrounded by the connecting member. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the lens structure comprises: a lens body; a dam structure, the dam structure is located on a sidewall of at least a portion of the through hole, and extends to the through hole a region other than the other; and a connecting member connecting the lens body and the dam-like structure. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the dam The connecting structure surrounds the connecting member, and the connecting member surrounds the lens body. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the lens module is disposed on a semiconductor substrate. A method of manufacturing a lens module, comprising: providing a glass substrate having a uniform perforation therein; providing a first molding die and a second mold core, the first mold core having a corresponding a second lens pattern having a through hole, the second mold having a second lens pattern corresponding to the through hole; the glass substrate being disposed on the first mold, wherein the through hole of the glass substrate is Aligning the first lens pattern; placing a lens material in the through hole and the first lens pattern; placing the second mold core on the glass substrate and imprinting the lens material, wherein The second lens pattern is aligned with the through hole of the glass substrate, and the lens material is shaped into a lens structure. The lens structure is embedded in the through hole by the first lens pattern and the second lens pattern. And separating the first mold core, the glass substrate including the lens structure in the through hole, and the second mold core. The method for manufacturing a lens module according to claim 9, further comprising: before separating the first mold core, the glass substrate including the lens structure in the through hole, and the second mold core The lens structure is subjected to a curing process. Manufacture of a lens module as described in claim 10 A method wherein the aging of the lens structure is by irradiation or heating of ultraviolet light. The method for manufacturing a lens module according to claim 9, further comprising: after separating the first mold core, the glass substrate including the lens structure in the through hole, and the second mold core, The lens structure is subjected to a curing process. The method of manufacturing a lens module according to claim 12, wherein the aging of the lens structure is by irradiation or heating of ultraviolet light. The lens module of claim 9, wherein the lens structure comprises a lens body directly connected to the sidewall of the through hole; and the first lens pattern and the second lens pattern At least one of the lenses has a lens body pattern that includes a contour of the lens body. The lens module of claim 9, wherein the lens structure comprises a lens body and a connecting member, the connecting member connecting the lens body and the sidewall of the through hole; and the first lens At least one of the pattern and the second lens pattern has a lens body pattern and a connecting member pattern, the connecting member pattern is coupled to the lens body pattern; wherein: the lens body pattern includes a contour of the lens body; The connecting member graphic includes a contour of the connecting member. The method of manufacturing a lens module according to claim 15, wherein: the lens body is surrounded by the connecting member; and the lens body pattern is surrounded by the connecting member pattern. The method of manufacturing a lens module according to claim 9, wherein the lens structure comprises a lens body, a dam structure, and a connecting member, the dam structure being located at a side wall of at least a portion of the through hole And extending to a region other than the through hole, the connecting member connecting the lens body and the dam structure; and at least one of the first lens pattern and the second lens pattern has a lens body pattern, a dam a structure pattern, and a connecting member pattern connected between the lens body pattern and the dam structure pattern; wherein: the lens body pattern includes a contour of the lens body; the connecting member pattern includes a contour of the connecting member And the dam-like structure pattern includes a contour of the dam-like structure. The method of manufacturing a lens module according to claim 17, wherein: the dam-like structure surrounds the connecting member, and the connecting member surrounds the lens body; and the dam-like structure pattern surrounds the connecting member pattern, and The connecting member pattern surrounds the lens body pattern.